Week in Craft

I think it must be the good energy from Obama taking office. I have been very productive this week on many fronts. I have dug into some yet unpacked boxes and found a couple of half finished projects and gotten them done and on their way. They are pictured below:

This little bear was made from mostly recycled fabrics for Pera's dear little friend Sam for his second birthday. His little sweater is a cut up sleeve of a thrift store sweater found for its felting abilities. The body is a pair of much loved pants that were cut off into shorts. The close up of the heart doesn't really do it justice, might be time to invest in another camera. Thank you KC for the use of your greenery!

A long lost pair of pink socks. They don't exactly match, because I didn't keep notes but Shirley, of Weaving Works (my sock teacher/sock queen) would be so happy to see them finally done! Just in time too, we are doing some energy conservation around the house and it makes for some cold toesies!

Flower Power Sparkling Pointy Kitty

We Did it!

"On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord." ~ Barack Obama, 44th President of the USA

Wow! Today was a day of tears and celebration, of hope and chills. A day for the first time in a long time I can honestly say I am proud to be an American. Finally we have someone who I am proud to say is our leader. Absolutely amazing. History was made... History will continue to be made. I feel so lucky to be alive and see this day. I am hopeful. Hopeful for our country and hopeful for our future. Hopeful that Pera will grow up and know that this was a time that changed our course forever.

His quote about the patchwork of our nation made me think of quilts and the fabric that makes up all the many great and unique people that populate this land. I think this year I will make my first quilt... I will think about this more and leave it at that for now.

"For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace."~ B. Obama

Like Pera screamed from the bathtub this evening while splashing around: OBAMA!!! OBAMA!!! OBAMA!!!

P.S. For copies of this sticker go here.

A few of my favorite things

• felted food like this and definetly this.
  
• Pera naming her favorite song: Milk, milk.. Because it is what she hums while she nurses.
  
• knitting things all in one piece, like this little sweater made for a soon to be neice "M".
  
• this sweet short by Amy about making something together
• Any thing from Tollipop.

Booty Camp

Monday it began again! Booty Camp! Hate the name love the activity! Get up at 6 am and head out to camp by 6:30 for one hour work out with Jessica and the girls. I have been doing this since last July, so its not really a New Years' Res thing but really a commitment to myself to do it for a year. Hard this week after long holiday break, just couldn't get out of bed every morning! During the spring - summer - fall and early winter we workout outside in the park. Yes in the dark, in the rain, sometimes with falling tree limbs and coyotes (I kid you not!) we work out. Now we are inside a few days and outside weather permitting. It really kicks my butt. I am sore all the time, and always doing something new. Love it!

tie dye knitted kerchief

This head kerchief should be an easy little Saturday afternoon project but it has taken me a while and quite a few frogging (rip it rip it rip it) sessions to get it right. Should be comfy for Saturday bed head or after a day snow shoeing. I got the pattern from this book. In doing this project I found this site with great videos all in one place. A great review of various increases.

purple pointy kitty

This is purple pointy kitty. She is a free pattern provided by Hillary Lang. There are a couple more photos of her here. PP kitty is probably the 7th or 8th kitty I have made in the past year. Each time I have learned a little more. The stitching on the felted pieces are all done with blanket stitch. This tutorial helped a lot. Her body fits right in Pera's hand. She can carry her around easy in one little fist. The first kitty I made was not stuffed enough in the body and over stuffed in the head. This meant that she was heavy headed and would fall over due to a whispy breath. Also her head wagged back and fourth barely hanging on to her body. This was fixed in subsequent kitties with straight stitching between the body and the head on either side after first cross-stitching the body to the head. Finally although the pattern called for wool felt it was hard to find at my LFS and while learning to sew this little kit I wanted to keep it cheap. But as you can see in the first kitty photo the pink polyester felt did not keep very long. For other pointy kitty photos take a look here.

Rainy day in Seattle

Today we went with Gina and went to the Seattle Aquarium. I think this is the first time we got to actually sit in the underwater room. Pera has been on the go, go, go since the day she was born, smile. But we had a snack and watched the manta rays fly over head. Tobias and I had our wedding reception here. So I can walk through the aquarium and still remember what went on and where that night. Great way to spend a rainy day.

Urban Dinosaur

Pera has asked for a dinosaur ever since I made her daddy this annual Christmas ornament from me. So introducing Hannah Banana Dinosaur. She is handsewn 100% wool felt. She is from: Toys to Sew by Claire Garland. Raaarrr! Or because she is a little dino we would say rarrrr!

Welcome!

Hi There! I have been kicking around the idea of starting a blog for a while.. Now that Pera is two I have the crazy idea that maybe I have a little time to do this. So here goes... Happy New Year! xo ~ Joey